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A review by foreverinastory
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Thank you to Netgalley and Doubleday Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
4.5/5
Damnnn this book was epic. I need more badass women chemists like Elizabeth Zott!
Lessons in Chemistry follows chemist Elizabeth Zott. Elizabeth has her share of troubles trying to get taken seriously as a woman chemist in the 1960s. Add into that single motherhood and things are looking shaky for her. Then comes Supper at Six, a cooking show that skyrockets Elizabeth to fame for her unique perspective and way of addressing her audience. Not everyone is happy, because not only is she teaching about nutritious meals, she's also daring her fellow women to challenge the status quo.
I really enjoyed this book! I need more women in STEM in my books. I loved the friendship between Elizabeth and Harriet. I loved how determined Elizabeth was to follow her passion. When she built her own lab in her kitchen while pregnant, I knew I was a goner for her. Every time Elizabeth comes against sexism and misogyny, she stays so cool and logical. I wish I could be as contained as her. She has so many good come backs to the stupid shit men tell her too. I'm just going to have to remember everything she says so I can strive to be that much of a badass.
Besides facing misogyny and sexism in her work, there's also a family saga going on in the background of this book. I don't want to say too much about it because seeing it come together in the ending was so rewarding and made my heart fill with joy. I really loved how family was an important theme in this book, in all its various forms. Also Six-Thirty is the best dog ever! And he does not die in the book.
The only thing that detracted from this story was the obvious lack of women of color in this book. There were no notable women of color. And the fact that this takes place in the 60s makes me question where they are. Elizabeth was incredibly knowledgeable. She mentions more than once in the book that discrimination based on skin color has no scientific founding and is ridiculous. It made the lack of WOC much more obvious.
Rep: white cishet female MC, white cishet male MC, white cis gay male side character, fat white cishet male side character, various other white straight side characters.
CWs: Sexism, misogyny, sexual assault, sexual harassment, rape/attempted rape, death, car accident (someone is run over on page), grief. Moderate: past mentions of child abuse/death, homophobia/homomisia, suicide, religious bigotry, death of parent, consensual sexual content, domestic abuse (side character). Minor: pedophilia, racism mentioned, past mentions of car/train accident (not shown on page but discussed).
4.5/5
Damnnn this book was epic. I need more badass women chemists like Elizabeth Zott!
Lessons in Chemistry follows chemist Elizabeth Zott. Elizabeth has her share of troubles trying to get taken seriously as a woman chemist in the 1960s. Add into that single motherhood and things are looking shaky for her. Then comes Supper at Six, a cooking show that skyrockets Elizabeth to fame for her unique perspective and way of addressing her audience. Not everyone is happy, because not only is she teaching about nutritious meals, she's also daring her fellow women to challenge the status quo.
I really enjoyed this book! I need more women in STEM in my books. I loved the friendship between Elizabeth and Harriet. I loved how determined Elizabeth was to follow her passion. When she built her own lab in her kitchen while pregnant, I knew I was a goner for her. Every time Elizabeth comes against sexism and misogyny, she stays so cool and logical. I wish I could be as contained as her. She has so many good come backs to the stupid shit men tell her too. I'm just going to have to remember everything she says so I can strive to be that much of a badass.
Besides facing misogyny and sexism in her work, there's also a family saga going on in the background of this book. I don't want to say too much about it because seeing it come together in the ending was so rewarding and made my heart fill with joy. I really loved how family was an important theme in this book, in all its various forms. Also Six-Thirty is the best dog ever! And he does not die in the book.
The only thing that detracted from this story was the obvious lack of women of color in this book. There were no notable women of color. And the fact that this takes place in the 60s makes me question where they are. Elizabeth was incredibly knowledgeable. She mentions more than once in the book that discrimination based on skin color has no scientific founding and is ridiculous. It made the lack of WOC much more obvious.
Rep: white cishet female MC, white cishet male MC, white cis gay male side character, fat white cishet male side character, various other white straight side characters.
CWs: Sexism, misogyny, sexual assault, sexual harassment, rape/attempted rape, death, car accident (someone is run over on page), grief. Moderate: past mentions of child abuse/death, homophobia/homomisia, suicide, religious bigotry, death of parent, consensual sexual content, domestic abuse (side character). Minor: pedophilia, racism mentioned, past mentions of car/train accident (not shown on page but discussed).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Grief, Sexual assault, Car accident, Death, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent, Sexual content, Suicide, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Homophobia, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Car accident, Pedophilia, and Racism